The Kurhaus of

Meran Merano (, ; ) or Meran () is a (municipality) in South Tyrol, Northern Italy. Generally best known for its spa resorts, it is located within a basin, surrounded by mountains standing up to above sea level, at the entrance to the Passeier Va ...

South Tyrol South Tyrol ( , ; ; ), officially the Autonomous Province of Bolzano – South Tyrol, is an autonomous administrative division, autonomous provinces of Italy, province in northern Italy. Together with Trentino, South Tyrol forms the autonomo ...

is a famous building in the town and a symbol of it. The ornate structure was constructed at a time when Meran became a popular spa resort due to the frequent visits of

Empress Elisabeth of Austria Elisabeth (born Duchess Elisabeth Amalie Eugenie in Bavaria; 24 December 1837 – 10 September 1898), nicknamed Sisi or Sissi, was Empress of Austria and List of Hungarian consorts, Queen of Hungary from her marriage to Franz Joseph I of Austri ...

and the aristocracy. The building's original structure, which is today's west wing, was constructed in 1874 while the newer wing was added in 1912 and 1914 by the

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Jugendstil (; "Youth Style") was an artistic movement, particularly in the decorative arts, that was influential primarily in Germany, Austria and elsewhere in Europe to a lesser extent from about 1895 until about 1910. It was the German and Austrian cou ...

'' architect Friedrich Ohmann. The exterior features a large portico with columns and is decorated with allegorical statues. The rotunda is visible from far. The interior is decorated with paintings by Rudolf Jettmar, Orazio Gaigher and Alexander Rothaug and has various conference and exhibitions rooms that are used for events and concerts. The grand ''Kursaal'' is the most spectacular hall in the building. The spa area has various recreational rooms, salons, reading room and originally also a smoker's lounge. Gambling was also organised in the Kursaal by a gentleman's society until it became official after World War II.

External links

Homepage of the Kurhaus

Burggrafenamt Südtirol , Kurhaus
Merano Art Nouveau architecture in Italy Buildings and structures completed in 1874 Buildings and structures completed in 1914

Buildings and structures in South Tyrol Art Nouveau theatres 19th-century architecture in Italy {{Italy-struct-stub